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afloat

Meaning in simple English, pronunciation and examples

Pronunciation: US /əˈfloʊt/ · UK /əˈfləʊt/

afloat means: Staying on the surface of water without sinking.

adjective

FLOATINGB2

Staying on the surface of water without sinking.

  • The little boat is still afloat.
  • He held the wood to stay afloat.
  • Several empty bottles were afloat on the pond.

How to use it: keep someone/something afloat (The life jacket kept her afloat.)

Similar words: floating

Opposites: submerged

Common phrases: stay afloat, keep afloat, afloat on water

FLOODEDC2

Covered in water, with things floating on it.

  • The deck was afloat after the storm.
  • Heavy rain left the cabin floor afloat.
  • By morning, the lower rooms were afloat.

Similar words: flooded, awash

Opposites: dry

Common phrases: deck afloat, floor afloat

preposition

FLOATINGB2

On the surface of water without sinking.

  • Her jacket kept her afloat.
  • The damaged boat remained afloat all night.
  • Can this piece of wood stay afloat?

How to use it: keep someone/something afloat (An empty barrel kept him afloat.)

Similar words: on the water

Common phrases: keep someone afloat, stay afloat, afloat on water

Questions about afloat

What does afloat mean?

Staying on the surface of water without sinking.

What is afloat in other languages?

Türkçe: su üstünde · Español: a flote · Français: à flot · Deutsch: schwimmend · Italiano: a galla · 日本語: 浮いている

How do you pronounce afloat?

In American English /əˈfloʊt/; in British English /əˈfləʊt/.

How do you use afloat in a sentence?

The little boat is still afloat. He held the wood to stay afloat.

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